October 17, 2023 | Martin Luther – Day 42
“That angels are with us is very sure, and no one should ever have doubted it. It is certain not only that they are waiting for our coming into our future fatherland but also that they are truly around us in this life, providing for and guiding our affairs, if we would only firmly believe it.”
Martin Luther
We’ve all probably heard stories of people having an experience that can only be explained by the presence of angels. In my life I’ve had a few and have heard about many more. Often it’s a premonition received or an act of warning or kindness that can only be explained by the supernatural. The stories abound of unexplained acts of protection, mercy, and charity given with no one around to give thanks to.
Hebrews 1:13-14 gives us a hint as to their reality. It says, “And to which of the angels has (God) ever said, ‘Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet?’ Are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?” The writer to the Hebrews was trying to make the role of Jesus Christ clear to see. It was He (Jesus) who was given the honor to sit at the right hand of the Father, not the angels. The angels, he says, were created to serve the elect in their lives, those who look to gain heaven through faith.
Scripture says that when Daniel faced the lions, an angel shut the lions mouth (Daniel 6:22). It says they work to deliver the faithful from the fowler and from deadly pestilence (Psalm 91:3-4). They will bind Satan in the last days (Revelation 20:1-15) and they will protect our little ones from harm (Matthew 18:10).
Hebrew 13:1-2 gives us further evidence of their presence saying, “Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.” Do angels walk among us? Martin Luther certainly thought so. And it makes sense when you come to understand the love God has for His children. We can only hope to imagine how much worse we would be off if not for the angel’s guidance and protection.
Today, thank God for His ministering angels and pray a prayer for those who are suffering, that His angels might play a part in bringing them peace.
Our Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for Your many great gifts and the angels to be counted among them. May they continue to watch over us and guide us as we work to live a life of faithfulness. Amen.
